Edinburgh Tradfest: Rebellious Truth 25: Joy Dunlop + Fraser Fifield

NO WRONG PATH: A GAELIC LEARNING JOURNEY

Brought up in an English speaking household in Connel, Argyll, Joy Dunlop was introduced to Scottish Gaelic at nine years old, when the Royal National Mòd was held in Oban. This performing opportunity grew into a love for Gaelic singing and an unexpected foray into Gaelic immersion learning that changed the course of her life completely.

No word of a lie, up until that moment the young Joy had been planning to pursue a career in medicine. This volte-face resulted in her studying at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (the Gaelic college on Skye), competing in the Royal National Mòd (it took her four years of entering to secure the coveted gold medal) and becoming the passionate advocate for her Gaelic language and culture she is today.

The talk will give insight into her own Gaelic journey; from learning Gaelic songs phonetically, to being the face of multi-platform learning brand, SpeakGaelic. Joy will discuss her journey to fluency, and both the opportunities and challenges that she encountered on the way.

Today Joy is known as a Gaelic singer, broadcaster and Scottish step-dancer. With her trademark poise and depth of knowledge, Joy’s warmth and enthusiasm have made her increasing in-demand in television and radio broadcasts alike; from presenting the weather on both BBC Scotland and BBC Alba to hosting the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

As a fluent Gaelic speaker, with an honours degree in Gaelic Language and Culture, audiences are often surprised to learn that she is did not grow up with the language at home. For anyone who has considered learning Gaelic (or any other language) she is the perfect role model.

The event will also include a smattering of music from Joy, and special set by University of Edinburgh Traditional Artist in Residence, in Celtic and Scottish Studies Fraser Fifield.

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CHAN EIL RATHAD CEÀRR ANN: MO THURAS DHAN GHÀIDHLIG

Thogadh Joy Dunlop anns a’ Choingheal, ann Earra Gàidheal, agus b’ e a’ Bheurla a bha aice san taigh. Dh’fhiosraich i a’ Ghàidhlig an toiseach nuair a bha i naoi bliadhna a dh’aois, nuair a bha am Mòd Nàiseanta Rìoghail anns an Òban. Bhon a’ chothram seinn a fhuair i an sin, dh’fhàs a gràdh air seinn sa Ghàidhlig agus chaidh a beatha atharrachadh gu tur le cothram a bhith air a bogadh sa chànan.

Ron a sin, bha Joy òg ag amas air dreuchd ann an leigheas, ach mar chlach às an adhar lorg i i fhèin ag ionnsachadh aig Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, a’ gabhail pàirt anns a’ Mhòd (fhuair i am bonn òr an dèidh ceithir bliadhna) agus ag iomartadh airson na Gàidhlig gu dian chun an latha an-diugh.

San òraid seo, foillsichidh i a turas fhèin a-steach dhan Ghàidhlig: bho ionnsachadh òrain a-rèir fuaime gu bhith a’ taisbeanadh SpeakGaelic, goireas ùr air diofar mheadhanan airson ionnsachadh na Gàidhlig. Bruinnidh air a mar a ràinig i fileantas, agus na cothroman agus na dùbhlanan a bha an luib an turais sin.

An-diugh, tha Joy aithnichte mar sheinneadair, mar chraoladair agus mar dhannsair-ceum. Le a cuid misneachd agus eòlais, thèid iarradh oirre gu tric air an dà chuid telebhision agus rèidio: ag aithis na h-aimsire air an dà chuid BBC Scotland agus BBC Alba agus ag obar na bean-an-taighe airson BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

On a tha i fileanta sa Ghàidhlig, le ceum ann an Cànan agus Cultar na Gàidhlig, bidh daoine a’ gabhail iongnaidh nach do thogadh i leis a’ chànan o thùs. ’S e sàr-eisimpleir a th’ innte do neach sam bith a tha airson Gàidhlig – no cànan sam bith eile – ionnsachadh.

Bidh beagan ciùil aig an tachartas seo cuideachd bhon dà chuid Joy fhèin agus Fraser Fifield, Neach-ealain Dùthchasach air Mhuinntireas aig Oilthigh Dhùin Èideann, ann an Roinn Ceiltis agus Eòlas na h-Alba.

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Rebellious Truth is presented in partnership with Celtic and Scottish Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Find out more from celtscot.ed.ac.uk

The Traverse Theatre is funded by Creative Scotland and The City of Edinburgh Council.

If you have access requirements, please contact our Sales and Welcome Team on boxoffice@traverse.co.uk or 0131 228 1404 so we can arrange reserved seating for you and discuss how else we can best support your visit.